9 Jan 2018

Man arrested after pensioner robbed twice in three months

10:15 am on 9 January 2018

A man has been arrested after a 71-year-old woman was robbed and attacked in her own home twice in less than three months.

A police officer outside a cordon in South Auckland.

Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

The victim was assaulted at a Church Street address in Palmerston North in the early hours of 5 January.

The woman was also the victim of an aggravated robbery in October last year. At the time, she was tied to a chair in her home before a man made away with her car and bank card.

Police confirmed today that a 38-year-old man has been arrested in relation to the two incidents.

He is facing a number of charges - including burglary, aggravated robbery, indecent assault and threatening to kill - and is due to appear in the Rotorua District Court today.

Police said the victim has been advised of the arrest and she was being provided with support as she recovered.

"We know that these two incidents were extremely concerning for the community, and we would like to thank all those who provided information and assistance to the investigation team," said police."